Dermal Fillers – Forest Park, OH

Smoothing Out Fine Lines on Your Face

As you age, your face experiences a natural loss of fat just under the skin. This subcutaneous fat loss leads to higher visibility of lines, wrinkles, and imperfections, especially in certain areas of the face like around the eyes and mouth. Dermal fillers in Forest Park, OH may help restore the lost volume, so you see the youthful fullness you want and fewer lines and wrinkles. At Kemper Meadow Family Dentistry, we are pleased to offer these enhancing procedures at our dental office.

woman smiling

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable solutions or agents that are placed under the skin using a needle to enhance the volume in areas where subcutaneous fat has lessened or deteriorated. It is natural for the face to lose volume in certain areas due to aging, genetics, and even lifestyle. Injecting fillers may help negate some of those undesirable facial changes that come along with volume loss.

Dermal fillers can be several different types, and different types work best for different patients or to target different areas. While dermal filler procedures are often performed by cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists, the procedure can be done by medical professionals who have been properly trained, including dentists.

Problems Best Targeted with Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can be used in several areas to create a more full appearance. Some of the most common reasons dermal fillers are used include:

  • To give lips more volume
  • To enhance facial contours that could use more depth
  • To soften small wrinkles and creases
  • To soften the appearance of indentions or recessed scars
  • To decrease shadow around the lower eyelids

What are the steps involved with getting dermal fillers?

Before getting dermal fillers, we will go over several aspects of your health and discuss at length which fillers will yield the most desirable results for the concerns you have. From there, the specific treatment can vary depending on where the filler is being placed and which type of filler is being used. The full procedure usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The general steps may involve:

  • An anesthetic is applied to the skin to numb the area and keep you comfortable
  • The doctor will use a needle to inject the filler into several points in your skin until the desired fullness is achieved
  • Soothing creams or cold compresses may be used immediately after to deter swelling

A Look at the Recovery Process After Dermal Filler Injections

After the dermal filler procedure, you can pretty much get back to your normal activities. Most patients can even go ahead and apply makeup right after treatment.

Regardless of the treatment, you will be given specific aftercare instructions that should be followed carefully to avoid any issues. Adverse reactions after dermal fillers are relatively rare when the procedure is done by skilled professionals as long as aftercare instructions are followed.

Dermal Fillers Frequently asked Questions

Do dermal fillers look natural?

The best-trained doctors will make sure that what you end up with is a natural-looking result. Patients that get fillers and do not look “natural” are often seeing a practitioner that is overdoing fillers, which is not recommended. A conservative approach with dermal fillers is going to yield the most natural look. For example, if you want your lips to have a bit more volume, small amounts of filler can make that happen. However, too much filler can be unflattering and unnatural.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal fillers last different lengths of time depending on the type of filler used. For example, basic collagen injections may last for two or three months or longer, while something like hyaluronic acid gel can last as long as 12 months. This is why it is important to discuss your personal options with us when you have your initial consultation. You can get an idea of how long any specific filler can be expected to last.

Will dermal fillers lift your face?

Dermal fillers can definitely make a dramatic difference to the appearance of your face. However, fillers will not do anything really to lift sagging skin because only a small amount of filler is placed in any one area. You may see a slight difference in facial volume and how loose skin is in some areas, but there are limitations to just how much “lift” a dermal filler can provide.

Are there side effects with dermal fillers?

Patients may experience some minor side effects after treatment. These side effects can vary depending on specifically what type of filler is used. However, the general side effects can include things like redness, bruising, and tenderness to the touch. These side effects pass quickly, usually in just a few days.